How to Buy Youth Soccer Goalkeeper's Gear

Youth soccer goalkeepers wear the same shoes, socks and shin guards as field players, but they need other special gear.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Make sure the clothing of choice complies with team and league rules.

2. Find a goalkeeper's shirt. Rules require that goalkeepers wear a different color top from all field players to differentiate themselves.

3. Share a shirt. These shirts, usually long-sleeved, are expensive. Some teams choose to share them, as players in the early years rotate through soccer's other positions.

4. Purchase padded goalkeeper clothing. The harder the surface, the more padding a young goalkeeper should wear.

5. Check out specialty goalkeeping shorts. These have a longer inseam for protection from abrasions. They may also be padded on the hips.

6. Invest in goalkeeper's long pants, available with or without padding.

7. Layer up. Goalkeepers move around less than field players and need extra layers to stay warm.

8. Get the proper gloves. Beginning players often share a pair with teammates, but if you purchase them, lower-end gloves are fine for younger children (until age 11 or 12). Older players should get gloves with thicker palms for added grip and protection.

Tips & Warnings

• Shop about two months before the start of the soccer season, when stores are well-stocked with the best merchandise.

• Buy from a sports specialty store with knowledgeable salespeople.

• Speak to experienced goalkeepers for advice.

• Make protection a priority. Although short-sleeved goalkeeping shirts are manufactured, long sleeves protect from elbow scrapes when learning how to dive for the ball.

• Consider buying gloves made for specific conditions. Some, for example, are better for wet weather. Usually, the tags on the gloves will state this.

• Buy two pairs for higher-end players. Goalkeepers often use different pairs for practice and competition.

• Know how long gloves last. Gloves for lower-level players are usually good for one season. Higher-end players may go through two or more pairs in a season.

• Check out the latest technology. New gloves may help prevent hand injuries by allowing the fingers to bend forward, but preventing them from bending backward.

• Sprinkle baby powder on the hands before wearing gloves.

• Mark gloves with the player's name to identify them in the event of loss.

• Consider constriction (form-fitting) shorts under a baggier pair to provide extra warmth and support.

• Care for gloves properly. Clean carefully by hand, but not in the washing machine. Never use soap, and never dry using a machine or radiator, which cause the latex to break down.

• Wear a baseball cap to shade the eyes against the sun.